Shah Deniz output falls one-fifth on temporary well shutdown

11/27/2012

Shah Deniz output falls one-fifth on temporary well shutdown

BY AIDA SULTANOVA

BAKU, Azerbaijan -- Daily natural gas output at Shah Deniz field, which is led by BP, has fallen by almost one-fifth after production was suspended at one well for technical reasons, a senior executive from SOCAR said.

Work is being carried out to fix the problem at the well, and it will soon be brought back on line, SOCAR Deputy Chief Executive Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh told reporters. Five wells at the field are currently producing 23 MMcmpd, compared to 28 MMcmpd when all six wells are working, he said.

The stoppage isn't affecting gas exports, Mr. Yusifzadeh said. Shah Deniz is being developed by a BP-led consortium, which includes SOCAR, Statoil, Lukoil and Total.